Syed Saddiq Appears At Court To Support Yasin Sulaiman, Calls For Cannabis-Related Law Amendment

By Lara Kramer  •  18 May 2022 in News

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Malaysia’s law needs to change to acknowledge cannabis as an alternative therapy, says Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, chairman of the Medical Cannabis Caucus.

Over 40 developed nations, according to him, have altered their regulations surrounding the use of cannabis in healthcare.

As the minister stated in a tweet earlier today, “Even world health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) endorse the use of medicinal marijuana.”

He added that other countries’ actions should be considered an impetus for Malaysian health organisations to begin providing this alternative medication immediately.

Syed Saddiq said he had addressed the problem with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob last month, and proposed that the Attorney-Chambers General’s be given the ability to give higher consideration to cases involving cannabis. It was also reported that the Prime Minister responded well to the suggestion.

He believes that judges faced with similar matters should be granted the same leeway.

“We need to approach these situations carefully so that individuals who have no option but to use cannabis for medical grounds can be given due flexibility,” he stressed, noting that the death penalty is far too excessive for patients seeking alternative medication for their ailments.

Syed Saddiq had appeared in court today in Petaling Jaya to declare his solidarity with Nasyid artist and composer Muhammad Yasin Sulaiman.

Upon being convicted for growing cannabis plants and distributing 214g of cannabis at his condominium in Kota Damansara, the artist faces the possibility of death or life imprisonment.

On April 6, the Ministry of Health revealed that it is willing to work with any parties to research the use of marijuana and hemp in healthcare, whereas the cultivation of hemp and cannabis was authorized by the Cabinet on April 25, much to the displeasure of netizens who were afraid that local authorities were incapable of handling the matter from a legal perspective.

Netizens also expressed similar distaste via the comment section on his Instagram live video this morning; arguing amongst each other, presenting opposing opinions and viewpoints yet again.